Reservoir Flow Property Estimation from Seismic Data

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining reservoir flow properties in hydrocarbon prospecting are limited by the need for direct hydraulic connection and are prone to errors due to reliance on hypothetical rock physics models, which complicates the remote inference of flow properties without extensive preprocessing of seismic data.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates a best-fit elastic model from seismic data to identify non-elastic indicators, allowing for the estimation of reservoir flow properties without direct hydraulic connection, using simulation techniques to distinguish between elastic and poroelastic effects, thereby reducing preprocessing needs and eliminating the reliance on hypothetical models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If seismic data is extensively pre-processed to remove dispersion and attenuation effects, then the accuracy of flow property estimation is improved, but the complexity and time required for data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of flow property estimationVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential elastic parameters (P-wave and S-wave velocities) needed for flow property estimation, rather than performing extensive preprocessing to remove all dispersion and attenuation effects. This selective extraction approach reduces processing time while maintaining sufficient accuracy for the specific application of estimating reservoir flow properties from seismic data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If hypothetical rock physics models are used to infer flow properties, then the ability to estimate properties remotely is improved, but the reliability of the results deteriorates due to model-induced errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote inference capabilityVSAvoidaccuracy of flow property estimation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses seismic data itself to directly provide the elastic parameters needed for flow property estimation, without requiring hypothetical rock physics models as intermediaries. The seismic data inherently contains the information about P-wave and S-wave velocities, which can be directly used to estimate flow properties, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating model-induced errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If direct hydraulic connection methods are used to assess flow properties, then the reliability of measurements is improved, but the applicability to remote reservoirs without wells deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidremote reservoir assessment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the seismic-based flow property estimation method universally applicable to both remote reservoirs without wells and conventional reservoirs with wells. By using seismic data to directly obtain elastic parameters, the method can be applied anywhere seismic surveys are conducted, regardless of well presence, while maintaining reliability through direct physical measurements rather than hypothetical models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables direct inference of relative fluid flow and relaxation through subsurface formations, providing dense resolution of reservoir flow properties and improving well-placement decisions, leading to more efficient hydrocarbon extraction and management.

Implementation Method 1

the flow properties of fluid-filled porous media may give rise to dispersion and attenuation effects in the seismic response... Intrinsic attenuation effects (e.g., wave-induced fluid flow (WIFF))

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave-induced fluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

simulation techniques to distinguish between elastic and poroelastic effects... relative flow between the rock matrix and the entrained fluids can be induced by seismic energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPoroelasticity:

Data Source

PatentUS11346968B2Estimation of reservoir flow properties from seismic data

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING CO

AI summary

A method and apparatus for identifying non-elastic indicators for a subsurface region, the method including obtaining seismic data for the subsurface region; generating a best-fit elastic model from the seismic data; and identifying non-elastic indicators from the seismic data and the best-fit elastic model. The method and apparatus may also include estimating reservoir flow properties from the non-elastic indicators based on a poroelastic interpretation of the seismic response. The method and apparatus may also include subdividing the seismic data into a plurality of subdivisions, wherein: generating the best-fit elastic model from the seismic data includes generating an individual best-fit elastic model for each subdivision; identifying non-elastic indicators from the seismic data and the best-fit elastic model includes identifying individual non-elastic indicators from each subdivision and its respective individual best-fit elastic model; and estimating the reservoir flow properties from the non-elastic indicators comprises analyzing the individual non-elastic indicators based on the subdivisions.